2012 NISSAN SENTRA

0 recalls — 260 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

260 total complaints 22 crashes 4 fires 18 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
POWER TRAIN68
ENGINE39
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL22
UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
AIR BAGS20
STRUCTURE:BODY14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
STEERING9
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY8
ENGINE Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was no... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was no... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 12, 2025
Incident date: Jan 27, 2025
My ABS light and skid light is staying on all the time.
AIR BAGS Nov 18, 2024
Incident date: Nov 16, 2024
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH and passing a side street, another driver traveling in a Subaru failed to yield. As a result, the Subaru collided with the passenger side of the contact's vehicle sending the vehicle careening o... Read more
Crash 1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 30, 2024
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
car stalled no power in gas pedal traveling across for lane traffic just lost power to the gas pedal. was able to pull over and tuned off car after a few minutes of sitting power was restore and was able to drive again I have been told this is a transmission issue I am not sure but defiantly a safet... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 30, 2024
Incident date: Oct 1, 2024
car stalled no power in gas pedal traveling across for lane traffic just lost power to the gas pedal. was able to pull over and tuned off car after a few minutes of sitting power was restore and was able to drive again I have been told this is a transmission issue I am not sure but defiantly a safet... Read more
AIR BAGS Sep 17, 2024
Incident date: Sep 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to turn on the headlights, the air bags deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Ad... Read more
VISIBILITY/WIPER Aug 12, 2024
Incident date: Jul 13, 2024
The rearview mirror fell off the windshield and was hanging by the wires, which was found when entering the vehicle to drive; when touched, the wires and everything fell the rest off the way off the windshield. Glass from the windshield broke off with the rearview mirror. This was hazardous to be mi... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 31, 2024
Incident date: May 23, 2024
Our nissan Sentra with 106K miles the car lost nearly all power as my son was turning onto the freeway. He could only drive 16 miles an hour and it was hopping and jumping through a 8 lane freeway/highway intersection while he tried to get into a parking lot off the road. He turned it off, waited 5 ... Read more
POWER TRAIN May 31, 2024
Incident date: May 23, 2024
Our nissan Sentra with 106K miles the car lost nearly all power as my son was turning onto the freeway. He could only drive 16 miles an hour and it was hopping and jumping through a 8 lane freeway/highway intersection while he tried to get into a parking lot off the road. He turned it off, waited 5 ... Read more
ENGINE May 31, 2024
Incident date: May 23, 2024
Our nissan Sentra with 106K miles the car lost nearly all power as my son was turning onto the freeway. He could only drive 16 miles an hour and it was hopping and jumping through a 8 lane freeway/highway intersection while he tried to get into a parking lot off the road. He turned it off, waited 5 ... Read more
ENGINE Mar 29, 2024
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Leaking transmission oil. Also burning engine oil a week after doing an oil change to the point there is no oil but no leaks.
POWER TRAIN Mar 29, 2024
Incident date: Feb 12, 2024
Leaking transmission oil. Also burning engine oil a week after doing an oil change to the point there is no oil but no leaks.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Mar 5, 2024
Incident date: Feb 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled and, on several occasions, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure persis... Read more
ENGINE Jan 19, 2023
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11502677*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Fire
ENGINE Jan 19, 2023
Incident date: Jan 15, 2023
The contact’s husband owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to smoke at an unknown location of the vehicle and caught fire. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was r... Read more
Fire
POWER TRAIN Jan 7, 2023
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The Transmission is making a whining nose and smells terribly bad! When driving on the interstate and parkways; after the car reaches 60 -70 miles, the car starts shaking and slows down; almost coming to a complete stop and we have to either get over in the slow lane and/ or sometimes, we have t... Read more
ENGINE Nov 7, 2022
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
While traveling down the interstate doing the normal speed limit, I was forced to pull over to the emergency lane so cars can pass me. My car lost power to the engine without notice. No check system engine lights were not activated during this time. Car and Trucks were having to swerve over in other... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Nov 7, 2022
Incident date: Nov 6, 2022
While traveling down the interstate doing the normal speed limit, I was forced to pull over to the emergency lane so cars can pass me. My car lost power to the engine without notice. No check system engine lights were not activated during this time. Car and Trucks were having to swerve over in other... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 19, 2022
Incident date: Sep 17, 2022
--- What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Transmission malfunction, yes available for inspection by NHTSA. 28k miles on odometer. --- How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? While driving and starting from a stop, the car... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 18, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
While driving on the freeway pulling approximately 70 miles per hour, my car will begin to shake violently, continuously decelerate and my RPMs drop significantly. I am unable to go over 55 miles per hour when this happens. This has happened to me a total of four times now within the last 2 months. ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Aug 18, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
While driving on the freeway pulling approximately 70 miles per hour, my car will begin to shake violently, continuously decelerate and my RPMs drop significantly. I am unable to go over 55 miles per hour when this happens. This has happened to me a total of four times now within the last 2 months. ... Read more
ENGINE Aug 18, 2022
Incident date: Jun 18, 2022
While driving on the freeway pulling approximately 70 miles per hour, my car will begin to shake violently, continuously decelerate and my RPMs drop significantly. I am unable to go over 55 miles per hour when this happens. This has happened to me a total of four times now within the last 2 months. ... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 3, 2022
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
When driving at 70 or above mph for a long distances, speed automatically declines to 60 mph and will not increase. When trying to accelerate, nothing happens. After a few miles, my vehicle then starts to accelerate on its own. The problem is extremely unsafe and frightening, especially with express... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Aug 3, 2022
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
When driving at 70 or above mph for a long distances, speed automatically declines to 60 mph and will not increase. When trying to accelerate, nothing happens. After a few miles, my vehicle then starts to accelerate on its own. The problem is extremely unsafe and frightening, especially with express... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Aug 3, 2022
Incident date: Jan 1, 2022
When driving at 70 or above mph for a long distances, speed automatically declines to 60 mph and will not increase. When trying to accelerate, nothing happens. After a few miles, my vehicle then starts to accelerate on its own. The problem is extremely unsafe and frightening, especially with express... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 26, 2022
Incident date: Jul 26, 2022
Transmission died. For a few weeks, the transmission will randomly have a high whine at about 55mph, sometimes hard shifting or high revving when I feel it should have shifted. A mechanic told me the CVT transmission wasn't good and would eventually need replacement. As I made a left turn, the car s... Read more
POWER TRAIN Apr 27, 2022
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
While driving at around 70 mph on the highway the car suddenly lost power and was no longer able to accelerate. This issue persisted for the duration of the drive and has happened now on more than one occasion. There were no warning lights or messages before or after the car stopped accelerating and... Read more
POWER TRAIN Feb 20, 2022
Incident date: Feb 20, 2022
Vehicle transmission appeared to slip from gear causing vehicle to lose power while in heavy interstate traffic at 70mph, vehicle lost acceleration and began to slow then "bucked" jolting vehicle several times almost suffered rear collision from following cars. Upon stopping to check fluid in transm... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 7, 2022
Incident date: Jan 5, 2022
I was driving on thruway and I pushed the gas pedal and there was no power. I was a nervous wreck. This definitely is dangerous. I would like something done.
POWER TRAIN Jan 7, 2022
Incident date: Jan 5, 2022
I was driving on thruway and I pushed the gas pedal and there was no power. I was a nervous wreck. This definitely is dangerous. I would like something done.
STEERING Jan 2, 2022
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
I was getting on the freeway all of a sudden my steering wheel gets stiff and my car comes to a complete stop traffic is going at full speed me and my children could of being in a serious accident and then a few minutes later the car is back to normal. I would really appreciate if it's looked in... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jan 2, 2022
Incident date: Dec 10, 2021
I was getting on the freeway all of a sudden my steering wheel gets stiff and my car comes to a complete stop traffic is going at full speed me and my children could of being in a serious accident and then a few minutes later the car is back to normal. I would really appreciate if it's looked in... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Dec 15, 2021
Incident date: Jan 1, 2016
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while leaving the ignition on and exiting the vehicle, the doors would lock independently after closing the door. The contact stated she had to leave a window down to be able to manually open the door from the inside. The contact stated she h... Read more
POWER TRAIN Nov 15, 2021
Incident date: Nov 5, 2021
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact drove at a slow speed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. ... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 10, 2021
Incident date: Sep 2, 2021
I was stopped at an intersection. When the light turned green, I pressed the gas pedal, and the car started forward, but it would lunge forward and stop repeatedly, all the way through the intersection until I pulled over and turned the car off. The "slip indicator" light was on when this was happen... Read more
POWER TRAIN Aug 3, 2021
Incident date: Jul 29, 2021
I was going on a road trip with my sister that should have taken 5 hours and I had enough gas to make it there with no stops. I had gotten an emissions test done a few days prior for registration purposes and the car passed (there were no engine lights present). When we started the drive between Ne... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 28, 2021
Incident date: Jul 25, 2021
I purchased a 2012 Nissan Sentra for my daughter for school. Sunday July 25th she was driving on I95 when the vehicle began to lose speed while driving in the middle lanes. She proceeded to pull the vehicle over and turned it off to see if the car needed to cool down. Once started, the car was fi... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 27, 2021
Incident date: Jul 22, 2021
Continuously Variable transmission (CVT) failure. Specifically the torque converter and valve body. While operating the vehicle, without warning, it goes into safe mode, effectively losing all power. When in the mode, power to the engine stops and power steer and brakes are disabled. The risk of a... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 19, 2021
Incident date: Jul 7, 2021
CVT Transmission Failure: My son was driving on an Interstate at 75 miles per hour when suddenly the 2012 Nissan Sentra he was driving, suddenly powered down and he was not able to go over 40 miles per hour. No warning lights came on and the only indicator was the vehicle making a knocking sound a... Read more
TIRES Jul 2, 2021
Incident date: Jun 1, 2021
There are several Cooper tires recalled and I was told this line is not one. This tire failed with a sidewalk bulge and now the rear passenger one is starting to bulge as well.
POWER TRAIN Apr 2, 2021
Incident date: Mar 12, 2021
I REALIZED I WAS LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE SAGTIKOS PARKWAY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. THE CAR WOULD START, BUT WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO DRIVE, NOR REVERSE (OR WOULD NOT REGISTER). I WAS EFFECTIVELY STRANDED ALONG THE PARKWAY. IT WAS DETER... Read more
POWER TRAIN Mar 1, 2021
Incident date: Feb 21, 2020
WAS DRIVING ON SNOW WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, UPON RUNNING A CODE SCAN IT SHOWED TCM LOST COMMUNICATION. WHEN DEALER CHECKED THEY SAID THEY DETECTED A SHUTTER IN THE CVT.
POWER TRAIN Sep 15, 2020
Incident date: Apr 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT AND HER DAUGHTER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ROCKING NISSAN OF STAFFORD (... Read more
POWER TRAIN Aug 24, 2020
Incident date: May 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST 90% OF POWER AND COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY STEERING BECOMES HARDER. YOU TRY TO PUNCH DOWN ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. ALSO WAS FORCED TO TAKE CITY STREETS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GO A SAFE SPEED... Read more
STEERING Aug 24, 2020
Incident date: May 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST 90% OF POWER AND COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY STEERING BECOMES HARDER. YOU TRY TO PUNCH DOWN ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. ALSO WAS FORCED TO TAKE CITY STREETS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GO A SAFE SPEED... Read more
ENGINE Aug 24, 2020
Incident date: May 20, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST 90% OF POWER AND COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY STEERING BECOMES HARDER. YOU TRY TO PUNCH DOWN ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. ALSO WAS FORCED TO TAKE CITY STREETS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GO A SAFE SPEED... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 12, 2020
Incident date: Jul 12, 2020
WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND STOPPING QUICKLY, THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING 10 MILES PER HOUR AT 1000 RPM, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ALL TURNED ON. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE WAS TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. THIS HA... Read more
ENGINE Jul 12, 2020
Incident date: Jul 12, 2020
WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND STOPPING QUICKLY, THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING 10 MILES PER HOUR AT 1000 RPM, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ALL TURNED ON. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE WAS TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. THIS HA... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM May 20, 2020
Incident date: May 17, 2020
WHILE DRIVING FROM AZ TO CA ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO SPEED UP WHILE PUSHING THE PEDAL. IT HAPPENED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES ON 2 DIFFERENT DAYS.THE FIRST TWO TIMES I COULDN'T GET ABOVE 60 HOWEVER ON ONE OCCASION, IT DROPPED DOWN TO 3-5 MILES PER HOUR AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOO... Read more

Showing 50 of 260 complaints.

EPA Fuel Economy — 2012 NISSAN SENTRA

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios) (Front-Wheel Drive) 26.0 34.0 29.0 Regular $2,050
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 30.0 26.0 Regular $2,300
2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6) (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 30.0 26.0 Regular $2,300
2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 28.0 24.0 Premium $2,900

CO2 Emissions: 306.4 g/mile (Midsize Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — NISSAN SENTRA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

DP16002 Opened: Dec 20, 2016 — Closed: Oct 2, 2017
DP — Closed — Model Year: 2007
Scope of Recalls 08V311 and 09V431
Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V-311 and 09V-431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.NHTSA uti... Read more
PE14014 Opened: May 20, 2014 — Closed: May 13, 2015
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2013
Excessive Brake Pedal Travel
On May 20, 2014, ODI opened PE14-014 based on eight complaints alleging incidents of excessive brake pedal travel in model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Nissan Sentra, Versa Sedan and Versa Note passenger cars (Figure 1) and information in Early Warning Reporting field reports indicating issues with m... Read more
SQ99018 Opened: Jun 17, 1999
SQ — Open — Model Year: 1996
CORRISION FATIGUE OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS
NISSAN IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL IN CANADA OF 11,100 1994 THROUGH 1996 SENTRA 2 DOOR MODELS IN WHICH THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE FRACTURING FROM CORROSION FATIGUE.NISSAN REPORTED THAT THE FAILURES OCCUR FROM A LOSS OF THE PROTECTIVE PAINT COATING ON THE SPRINGS AND EXPOSURE TO HEAVY ROAD SALT.COR... Read more
PE93101 Opened: Nov 30, 1993 — Closed: Mar 31, 1994
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1993
STALLING
There is no summary currently available
EA89031 Opened: Jul 28, 1989 — Closed: Oct 31, 1990
EA — Closed — Model Year: 1982
SEAT FAILURES
SUMMARY:APPROXIMATELY SIXTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILURE ORMALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY, TWELVE OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.THE REMAINING FORTY PERCENT OF THE REPORTS ALLEGED A FAILUREOR MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY, SIX OF WHICH INVOLVED ANACCIDENT.===
PE88092 Opened: Aug 9, 1988 — Closed: Jul 28, 1989
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1984
SEAT FAILURES
===
DP84020 Opened: Aug 8, 1984 — Closed: Apr 11, 1985
DP — Closed — Model Year: 1983
STALLING PROBLEMS
STALLING PROBLEMS

NISSAN SENTRA — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the NISSAN SENTRA across all model years (1982–2026).

291 Total Recalls
8,185 Total Complaints
7 Investigations
860 Reported Crashes
169 Reported Fires
21 Reported Deaths

NISSAN SENTRA — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2026 5 2 View
2025 3 34 View
2024 11 49 View
2023 9 31 View
2022 2 129 View
2021 5 201 View
2020 6 306 View
2019 3 347 View
2018 3 283 View
2017 4 334 View
2016 8 398 View
2015 3 494 View
2014 7 523 View
2013 8 866 View
2012 (current) 0 260
2011 2 199 View
2010 3 212 View
2009 1 81 View
2008 3 233 View
2007 1 214 View
2006 28 155 View
2005 28 224 View
2004 27 235 View
2003 32 240 View
2002 36 388 View
2001 8 307 View
2000 7 236 View
1999 3 74 View
1998 5 76 View
1997 7 138 View
1996 7 177 View
1995 7 158 View
1994 0 130 View
1993 0 89 View
1992 0 81 View
1991 2 77 View
1990 2 45 View
1989 1 49 View
1988 1 40 View
1987 1 46 View
1986 0 9 View
1985 0 6 View
1984 0 4 View
1983 1 1 View
1982 1 1 View

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Model Recalls Complaints
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PATHFINDER 267 10,167 View
VERSA 224 4,473 View
FRONTIER 219 4,441 View
TITAN 208 4,415 View
ALTIMA 183 20,085 View
MAXIMA 173 8,847 View